Posted on 03/15/2002 6:54:33 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
Repost – Highlights from chapters 1-5 copied from the original forum to the new one. To reference the full version, click here: Original Green Dragon Inn Within the first five chapters... disregard the reply numbers... they wont work.
Thank you ecurbh, for copying and editing our old thread so that the highlights could be moved here! Highlights of the first five chapters from the old thread are pasted into the first 5 replies here. For those of you who are just joining you… as of this post we are beginning Chapter 6.
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Welcome to The Green Dragon Inn
Approaching The Green Dragon Inn
Hobbiton, in The Shire
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And wither then? I cannot say.
- JRR Tolkien
Politics also goes ever on and on.
This is a place for FReeper Tolkien fans to come and take a break from the impure reality of conservative activism and relax a little with a great story. We (the other co-conspirators and I) would like to study together the writings of Tolkien, beginning together, and discussing as we go through The Lord of the Rings together.
This is a chapter discussion, roughly one chapter per week, with the discussion mostly centered on the books, though of course the movie will be contrasted and compared, and perhaps used to illustrate another interpretation of the story.
Every week, someone from the group (maybe me) will ping The Green Dragon List to the new Chapter, but we will continue this one thread until it becomes too cumbersome…. Let me know if you would like to be on - or off - this list. I will for now serve as the Thain of the list.
If you are joining late, jump right in, but please stick to the chapter currently being discussed.
Some have loved this story a long time, and some are newly discovering it. If you fit either category, we invite you to join in, but we would like this thread to stay mostly focused on the chapter at hand and keep moving, but at a pace everyone can keep up with… No jumping ahead, and no lagging behind! If you have other news to report or wish to discuss something Tolkien in more general terms… May we recommend the equally homey Hobbit Hole where my co-conspirators and I frequently have plenty of good talk.
One other request…. This thread will get long. In recognition that images slow down the thread for many, let’s keep the posting of images to a minimum on this thread. If there is a great illustration you wish to share, let’s try to use links instead of images wherever possible.
So lets read, listen and become inspired by the many aspects of The Lord of the Rings that touch us deeply and reconnect us to the values we aspire to. Many great discussions have already been had, and I hope that this thread will produce even more. Many FReepers have wonderful things to say about LoTR, whether the fantasy reconnects them with their faith, with their relationships with friends and family, or simply illustrates the splendor of great acts of heroism and sacrifice in the constant battle of virtue versus corruption.
Though it is a work of fiction, we believe the inspiration to be gained can only help us in our larger political goals: to appreciate and defend our freedom, our culture and our political ideals. May the fellowship and insight gained from this discussion help us to work through the issues that are the basis for our many shared ideals.
Besides, we Tolkien fans* need something to keep us busy during the next two years of waiting for the next two films. If you do not enjoy this story, then please simply leave us be.
*Also known as Geeky Hobbity Weirdos, obsessive fanatics, you name it, we have heard it and we see these names as compliments. In other words: don’t act like a troll, or we will distract you with our endless babble until the morning sun turns you to stone.
Ummmm....where were we...Bree? Just finished "Strider" and need to read "Knife in the Dark."
So who really trashed the hobbit-room at the Prancing Pony and ran off the ponies? I vote on Bill Ferny or Harry the Gatekeeper. The Nazgul would have been drawn to the Ring and were blind, the fake hobbit-in-a-bed trick by Nob would have been wasted on them. Strider also didn't think they would attack till all nine were there. Plus there is no honor among thieves and Bill works for Saruman, so if the Ringwraiths got the ring, they'd be out of luck.
LOL! You need a scorecard to keep up with "Elf names starting with 'F'".
Very interesting, points, the implication was that the Black Riders did the deed, perhaps Tolkien just "forgot" for a second that the Riders would know the ring wasn't there??
An oversight?
Oddly enough, I was a one day Jeopardy champion 4 years ago. If they had Tolkien categories I think I could have laster longer. :)
..."But thier power is in terror, and already some in Bree are in their clutch. They will drive these wretches to some evil work: Feerny, and some of the starngers, and, maybe the gatekeeper too. They had words with Harry at West-gate on Monday. I was watching them. He was white and shaking when they left."So that's why I suspected the others but it could be either way.
Hmmm, I didn't even remember this conversation, think you are probably right!
You were? Cool! Do you know if they ever had a Tolkien category?
Hullo Friends – We are overdue for our next Chapter, so I hope you are ready! I have gotten super busy at work lately, so I will have to post and run this time and I wont be back until late in the afternoon. Hopefully you can entertain each other today and behave yourselves!
Fellowship of the Ring
Topic: The Journey from Bree to the Ford
Pertinent Chapters (all or part)
Chapter XI - A Knife In the Dark
Chapter XII – Flight to the Ford
In this section we will travel from Bree to the Ford of Bruinen at the edge of Rivendell. Gandalf has not come, but luckily they have found a worthy guide in Strider, and a pitiful but necessary beast of burden, Bill the pony, purchased from the scoundrel Bill Ferny. The hobbits and Strider will head out of town this morning, deal with miserable marshes and head for Weathertop. There is some hope that they will find Gandalf there…
So they set off!
…the whole of Bree was buzzing with excitement. Frodo's vanishing trick; the appearance of the black horsemen; the robbing of the stables; and not least the news that Strider the Ranger had joined the mysterious hobbits, made such a tale as would last for many uneventful years. Most of the inhabitants of Bree and Staddle, and many even from Combe and Archet, were crowded in the road to see the travellers start. The other guests in the inn were at the doors or hanging out of the windows.Strider had changed his mind, and he decided to leave Bree by the main road. Any attempt to set off across country at once would only make matters worse: half the inhabitants would follow them, to see what they were up to, and to prevent them from trespassing.
They said farewell to Nob and Bob, and took leave of Mr. Butterbur with many thanks. 'I hope we shall meet again some day, when things are merry once more,' said Frodo. 'I should like nothing better than to stay in your house in peace for a while.'
They tramped off, anxious and downhearted, under the eyes of the crowd. Not all the faces were friendly, nor all the words that were shouted. But Strider seemed to be held in awe by most of the Bree-landers, and those that he stared at shut their mouths and drew away. He walked in front with Frodo; next came Merry and Pippin; and last came Sam leading the pony, which was laden with as much of their baggage as they had the heart to give it; but already it looked less dejected, as if it approved of the change in its fortunes. Sam was chewing an apple thoughtfully. He had a pocket full of them: a parting present from Nob and Bob. 'Apples for walking, and a pipe for sitting,' he said. 'But I reckon I'll miss them both before long…'
Movie Pictures - Leaving Bree through Flight to the Ford (several pages covering this section – click next at the bottom of each page)
And here is ecurbh’s Timeline if you would like to keep track of what day it is as we go!
And here is a Map of Middle-Earth So we don't get lost!
Index to thread… click link to find the start of each prior chapter discussion:
(First Five chapters are re-posts of highlights from the old forum)
Prologue and Chapter One – A Long-Expected Party
Chapter Two - The Shadow of the Past
Chapter Three – Three is Company … And also here – double post! ugh!
Chapter Four – A Shortcut to Mushrooms
Chapter Five – A Conspiracy Unmasked
End of re-posts
Chapter Six – The Old Forest
Chapter Seven – In The House of Tom Bombadil
Chapter Eight – Fog on the Barrow-Downs
Chapter Nine – At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
New "section" format:
Bree (chapters 9-11)
Journey from Bree to the Ford Current section – (chapters 11-12)Sections still to come:
Rivendell (Book 2 - chapters 1-3)
The Ring goes South (chapters 3-4)
Moria (chapters 4-5)
Lothlorien (chapters 6-8)
The Breaking of the Fellowship (chapters 9-10)
So Hullo! – Good Morning! – talk amongst yourselves! (and remember to behave yourselves! There are black riders about! – This is no time for Tookish behavior!
Awwww. You're no fun!
At least from a hobbit's point of view the delayed start gets them a good breakfast at The Prancing Pony. And they need a good breakfast for this cheerless part of their journey.
'Very odd," said Frodo, tightening his belt, 'considering that there is actually a good deal less of me. I hope the thinning process will not go on indefinitely, or I shall become a wraith.'The hobbits are still learning about their new friend:'Do not speak of such things!' said Strider quickly, and with surprising earnestness.
The hobbits gazed at Strider. It seemed that he was learned in old lore, as well as in the ways of the wild. 'Who was Gil-galad?' asked Merry; but Strider did not answer, and seemed to be lost in thought. Suddenly a low voice murmured:Gil-galad was an Elven-king........'He [Bilbo] did not make it up,' said Strider. 'It is part of the lay that is called The Fall of Gil-galad, which is in an ancient tongue. Bilbo must have translated it....'
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
the last whose realm was fair and free
between the Mountains and the Sea.
His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven's field
were mirrored in his silver shield.
But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are.
I think this section develops Frodo and Aragorn; we learn why Aragorn's going to make a great king before we learn that he's going to be a king at all. And Frodo bearing that wound for all those days... well, I'm sorry Jackson cut it out of the movie. Especially when they reach the Ford and Frodo gives that one last act of defiance...."By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair, you shall have neither the ring nor me!" Sorta makes that whole "If you want him, come and claim him" bit seem silly, doesn't it?
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